Lead-free ammunition for small-bore weapons

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a lead-free projectile ( 5 ) having improved performance and intended for small-bore weapons, configured so that the quantity of toxic metal particles and gases which is formed by the friction between the projectile ( 5 ) and the inner side of the weapon upon firing of the projectile ( 5 ) is reduced, at the same time as the performance of the projectile ( 5 ) is improved or maintained. The projectile ( 5 ) is characterized in that the core ( 6 ) of the projectile ( 5 ) comprises a front core part ( 7 ), constituting the penetrator part of the projectile ( 5 ), and a rear core part ( 8 ), constituting the ballast part of the projectile ( 5 ), wherein the front and the rear core part ( 7, 8 ) are detachably joined together with each other by a radial guide ( 9 ) configured for mutual freedom of rotation between the front and rear core part ( 7, 8 ), and in that the rear core part ( 8 ) comprises, on the one hand, a cylindrical part and, on the other hand, a conical part having a cone angle α within the range 5°-9°, wherein the contact surface between the cylindrical part and the inner side of the weapon  1  upon firing of the projectile ( 5 ) constitutes less than 30% of the total surface area of the projectile ( 5 ). The invention also relates to an improved cartridge ( 1 ) and an improved method.

The present invention relates to a lead-free ammunition with improvedperformance, especially intended for small-bore weapons of the firearmand machine gun type.

BACKGROUND

One problem with modern-day conventional ammunition, also referred to asconventional cartridge ammunition, is the presence of toxic heavymetals, especially lead, which is found in the projectile, propellantpowder and priming system of the cartridge. The use of conventionalammunition in training and conflict areas means considerable loads onthe environment, with subsequent risks for animals and humans.Large-scale use additionally means costly clean-ups for the restorationof the environment. In the USA it is calculated that the American armyuses 300 to 400 million lead-containing cartridges per annum, themajority of which are used in practice firings on practice ranges closeto military bases.

The cost of cleaning up contaminated training areas is calculated atnine billion dollars. The cost of cleaning up contaminated training andconflict areas in other parts of the world is thought to be even higher.

A further problem with said conventional ammunition is the toxic gasesand particles/dust which are formed in the combustion of the primingcomposition and propellant powder of the ammunition. Furthermore,environmentally hazardous metal particles, above all lead particles fromthe lead core of the projectile, but also zinc and copper particles fromthe tombac jacket of the projectile are generated by the friction whicharises between the projectile and the rifled inner side of the weaponbarrel upon firing of the projectile.

Minor quantities of lead and copper dust are also formed when theprojectile hits a target.

Discharge of toxic particles and gases poses a risk not only for themarksman but also for humans in the surroundings.

There is therefore a need for ammunition in which environmentallyhazardous heavy metals in the projectile, the propellant powder and thepriming system are replaced with other materials, or in which theproportion of environmentally hazardous metals has been reduced to alevel which is as low as possible and which is acceptable.

In the light of the above, a new generation of projectiles has recentlybeen developed, in which lead has been replaced with other materials. Inpatent specification US 20060107863 is described a projectile in whichthe core of the projectile is made up of a compacted metal powdercomprising a mixture, or mixtures, of iron powder, copper powder and tinpowder. In patent specification US 2008 0000 379 is described aprojectile whose core is made up of a composite material comprising amixture of compacted metal and mineral powder.

One problem with these composite-based projectiles is, however, theirlow penetrability. The, generally speaking, lower strength of thecomposite material compared with solid metals means that compositeprojectiles are more easily splintered when they hit their target,compared with lead projectiles.

In order to improve the penetrability and, at the same time, address theenvironmental problem, projectiles having solid steel cores have beendeveloped. In patent specification US6973879 is described a lead-freeprojectile in which the core consists of a hardened steel.

The projectile lacks a conventional jacket, and has therefore beenreplaced with a surface coating constituted by a soft metal, copper,nickel, zinc, aluminum or mixtures thereof, plated directly onto thesteel core.

One problem with said steel projectile is the environmentally hazardousmetal particles and metal dust which are generated by the friction whicharises between the projectile and the inner side of the weapon when theprojectile is fired from the weapon. The friction adversely affects theperformance of the projectile, at the same time as discharge of harmfulmetal particles, primarily copper, nickel and zinc, is at risk ofexceeding permitted limit values, for example 2 mg/m³ for respirablecopper dust.

A further problem is the toxic substances which are formed in thecombustion of the priming and propellant compositions of the ammunition.

Another problem is difficulties in adapting the projectile to thedifferent demands which are made with respect to performance and theenvironment for different weapon applications.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION AND DISTINGUISHING FEATURES THEREOF

A principal object of the present invention is an improved lead-freeprojectile for small-bore weapons, configured such that the frictionbetween the projectile and the barrel of the weapon upon firing of theprojectile is reduced such that the proportion of environmentallyhazardous gases and metal particles is reduced, at the same time as theperformance of the projectile is maintained or improved.

A further object of the present invention is a lead-free cartridge forsmall-bore weapons, configured such that, when a projectile is firedfrom the weapon, the quantity of toxic substances in the combustiongases from the priming and propellant compositions of the cartridge isreduced, at the same time as the performance of the weapon is maintainedor improved.

Another object of the present invention is a method for, when aprojectile is fired from a small-bore weapon, reducing the wear betweenthe projectile and the barrel of the weapon so that the quantity ofenvironmentally hazardous gases and metal particles is reduced, at thesame time as the performance of the projectile is maintained orimproved.

Yet another object of the present invention is a projectileconfiguration which can easily be adapted to different performance andenvironmental demands in different weapon applications.

Said objects, and other aims which have not been enumerated here, aresatisfactorily met by that which is stated in the present independentpatent claims. Embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependentpatent claims.

Thus, according to the present invention, a lead-free projectile, havingthe length L_(tot), for small-bore weapons has been provided, comprisinga hard-metal core, wholly or partially enclosed by a metal jacket,wherein the projectile is configured for a lower friction between theprojectile and the weapon upon firing of the projectile, so that thequantity of metal particles and environmentally hazardous gases from theprojectile is reduced, at the same time as the performance of theprojectile is maintained or improved, wherein the core of the projectilecomprises a front core part, constituting the penetrator part of theprojectile, and a rear core part, constituting the ballast part of theprojectile.

The projectile is characterized

-   -   in that the front and the rear core part are detachably joined        together with each other by a radial guide configured for mutual        freedom of rotation between the front and rear core part,    -   in that the rear core part comprises a cylindrical core part        having the length L_(C) and a conical core part having the        length L_(k), wherein the angle α for the conical core part lies        within the range 5°-9°, and wherein the contact surface between        the jacket of the cylindrical core part and the inner side of        the weapon 1 constitutes less than 30% of the total surface area        of the projectile,    -   in that the distance (L_(TP)) between the tip of the projectile        and the center of gravity TP of the projectile lies within the        range 0.55L_(tot)≦L_(TP)≦0.60L_(tot),    -   in that the length L_(C) of the cylindrical part of the rear        core part lies within the range 0.25L_(tot)≦L_(C)≦0.31L_(tot).

According to further aspects of the lead-free projectile, it is the caseaccording to the invention:

that the rear core part comprises at least 90% unhardened steel,that the jacket comprises at least 90% steel plated with a thin layer ofcopper,that the jacket is divided into a front jacket part, an intermediatejacket part and a rear jacket part, wherein the thickness of theintermediate jacket part is at least twice as thick as the thickness ofthe front jacket part and the rear jacket part, and that the threejacket parts constitute three separate components joined together withone another on the core of the projectile by shrinkage or threading,that the intermediate jacket part is surface-treated by sulfating inorder to minimize the wear in the weapon,that at least 30% of the rear core part is conical,that the jacket comprises inner longitudinal rifling or grooves forpreventing rotation of the front and rear core parts of the projectileinside the jacket,that the jacket comprises outer longitudinal rifling or grooves forreducing the friction between the projectile and the weapon,that the jacket comprises outer transverse rifling or grooves forreducing the friction between the projectile and the weapon.

According to the present invention, a lead-free cartridge for small-boreweapons, in which the proportion of toxic substances in the combustiongases from the priming and propellant compositions of the cartridge uponfiring has been eliminated or heavily reduced, at the same time as theperformance of the cartridge is maintained or improved, has also beenprovided.

The cartridge is characterized in that the cartridge comprises alead-free propellant powder, a lead-free primer comprising a zinc-freepriming composition, a lead-free case and a lead-free projectile.

According to the present invention, a method has been provided forreducing the wear between a projectile, comprising a hard-metal corewholly or partially enclosed by a metal jacket, and a weapon, whereinthe quantity of environmentally hazardous gases and metal particleswhich are generated upon firing of the projectile from the weapon isreduced, at the same time as the performance of the projectile ismaintained or improved, wherein the core of the projectile is configuredwith a front core part, constituting the penetrator part of theprojectile, and a rear core part, constituting the ballast part of theprojectile.

The method is characterized:

-   -   in that the front and the rear core part are arranged detachably        joined together with each other by a radial guide for mutual        freedom of rotation between the front and rear core part,    -   in that the rear core part is configured with a cylindrical part        and a conical part, so that the contact surface between the        jacket of the cylindrical part and the inner side of the weapon        upon firing of the projectile constitutes less than 30% of the        total surface area of the projectile,    -   in that the distance (L_(TP)) between the tip of the projectile        and the center of gravity TP of the projectile is chosen within        the range 0.55L_(tot)≦L_(TP)≦0.601L_(tot),    -   in that the length L_(C) of the cylindrical part of the rear        core part is chosen within the range 0.25        L_(tot)≦L_(C)≦0.31L_(tot).

According to further aspects of the method, it is the case according tothe invention:

that the thickness of the jacket is made thicker on that part of theprojectile which is in contact with the inner side of the barrel of theweapon,that the intermediate jacket part (12) is surface-treated by sulfatingin order to minimize the wear in the weapon,that at least 30% of the rear core part is configured as a truncatedcone,that the jacket is configured with inner longitudinal rifling or groovesfor preventing rotation of the front and rear core parts of theprojectile inside the jacket,that the jacket is configured with outer longitudinal rifling or groovesfor reducing the wear between the projectile and the barrel of theweapon, that the jacket is configured with outer transverse rifling orgrooves for reducing the wear between the projectile and the barrel ofthe weapon.

Advantages and Effects of the Invention

The invention implies a number of advantages and effects, of which themost important are:

The replacement of environmentally hazardous heavy metals, such as lead,in all the various parts of the cartridge, with non-hazardous metalssuch as steel means that the adverse effect of the lead on theenvironment can be eliminated, which in turn eliminates the need forclean-up measures for restoration of the environment.

By configuring the projectile such that the friction between theprojectile and the inner side of the barrel is reduced, at the same timeas the air resistance of the projectile is reduced, the quantity ofenvironmentally hazardous metal particles and dust from the projectilecan be reduced, whilst, at the same time, the ballistics and performanceof the projectile are improved.

The fact that the priming and propellant compositions of the cartridgeare configured such that the proportion of toxic substances in thecombustion gases from the weapon is eliminated or reduced means that therisks for the marksman and for humans in the surroundings can be heavilyreduced.

The modular structure of the projectile having a two-part core withmutual freedom of rotation between the cores enables simple and rapidadaptation, fitting/exchange, of the front core with regard to differentenvironmental and performance demands which can conceivably be placed onthe projectile for different applications.

For example, a projectile configuration can be chosen in which the frontcore part/the penetrator is made of hardened steel or tungsten carbideand the rear core part/the ballast is made of cheaper unhardened steel.

The modular structure of the projectile with three-part jacket enablessimple and rapid fitting by shrinkage or threading of the differentjacket parts, with regard to the demands which are placed on the jacket.

For example, a jacket configuration can be chosen in which theintermediate part of the jacket is constituted by a softer metal, whilstthe front and the rear jacket part are made of a harder metal.

Said modifications of the cartridge and of the projectile result inincreased safety for the marksman and for persons in the vicinity. Forexample, the safety distance to the weapon can be reduced, as can theventilation requirements in shooting galleries, which impliesenvironmental advantages and cost savings.

Further advantages and effects of the invention will emerge from a studyand consideration of the following, detailed description of theinvention, with simultaneous reference to the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows schematically a longitudinal section of a cartridgecomprising a projectile, a propellant powder, a primer and a case,

FIG. 2 a shows schematically a longitudinal section of a projectilecomprising a projectile core and a jacket.

FIG. 2 b shows schematically a special embodiment of the cylindricalpart of the projectile core in FIG. 2 a, configured with longitudinalgrooves.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

As stated earlier, an overall aim of the present invention is toeliminate or heavily reduce the proportion of environmentally hazardousheavy metals in the various parts of a cartridge and to reduce theproportion of toxic substances, gaseous as well as particulate, whichare formed in the combustion of the priming and propellant compositionsof the cartridge, at the same time as the performance of the cartridgeis maintained or improved.

Historically, the emphasis on product development for small-boreammunition has primarily been focused on improving the performance ofthe ammunition. Only more recently have we begun to study the impact ofthe ammunition on the environment.

Totally lead-free, civil or military small-bore ammunition represents arelatively small niche in the current market, yet the market is growingrapidly. Historically, heavy metals such as mercury and lead, above alllead, have been and are still today the most common type of materialfound in cartridge constructions.

It is not fully clear how a lead-free cartridge acts in a ballisticrespect, in terms of the weapon, the trajectory or the target.

At present, there is only one 5.56×45 mm lead-free cartridge which isNATO-qualified, namely: NAMMO's 5.56×45 mm Ball Non Toxic 4 HighPerformance (NATO design AC/225-128A).

In order to manage to reproducibly produce a new lead-free cartridgewith fully encased steel core, having new lead-free components in thepriming chain, in the priming cartridge, in the propellant powder, andin the projectile, so that the discharges of toxic heavy metals areeliminated or lowered, at the same time as the performance of thecartridge is maintained or improved, it is not sufficient to change onlythe material, but rather changes to the design of the projectile arealso required.

FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a cartridge 1 according to theinvention. The cartridge 1 comprises a lead-free powder charge 2, alead-free primer 3, a lead-free case 4 and a lead-free projectile 5. Thepowder charge 2 preferably comprises an extruded single-base powder freefrom harmful heavy metals. The powder is impregnated and issurface-treated in an environmentally friendly process in water. Theprimer 3 comprises a priming composition 6 free from harmful heavymetals and zinc peroxide so as to reduce the proportion of toxicsubstances in the combustion gases.

The choice of powder type and priming composition 6 has been made with aview to, on the one hand, minimizing the proportion of toxic substancesin the combustion gases and, on the other hand, matching the ballisticproperties of the projectile. The cartridge case 4 is of standard type,free from environmentally hazardous heavy metals. Experimental testsshow that said propellant powder means a reduction of the ammoniaproportion in the combustion gases by more than 50%, of the hydrogencyanide proportion by about 75%, and of the copper proportion by about40%, compared with a conventional propellant powder. Experimental testsalso show that said priming composition means a reduction of the zincproportion in the combustion gases by about 50%, compared with a primingcomposition containing zinc peroxide.

In FIG. 2 is shown a preferred embodiment of a projectile 5 according tothe invention. The projectile 5 comprises a hard-metal core 6, wholly orpartially enclosed by a jacket 10 made of a metallic material. The core6 is divided into two core parts, a front core part 7, constituting thepenetrator of the projectile 6, and a rear core part 8, constituting theballast of the projectile 6. The two core parts 7, 8 are detachablyjoined together with each other by a radial guide 9 configured formutual freedom of rotation between the core parts 7, 8. The guide 9 canbe constituted, for example, by a lockable and openable frictioncoupling. Other types of couplings can also possibly be used.

The modular structure of the core 6 means that different core parts caneasily be combined in dependence on the target type. For example, thefront core part 7 can comprise tungsten carbide for target types inwhich high demands are placed on the penetrability of the projectile 5.The modular structure also means that the center of gravity (TP) of theprojectile 5 can easily be adjusted by combining different core partswith different configuration, length, width, etc., which means easieroptimization of the ballistics of the projectile during its trajectory.The joining together of the core parts 7, 8 is effected via a couplingwhich achieves radial guidance and mutual freedom of rotation.

The two core parts 7, 8 are configured to minimize the contact surfacebetween the projectile 5 and the inner side of the weapon in order thusto reduce the quantity of metal particles which is torn away from theprojectile 5 in connection with the projectile 5 being fired from abarrel.

At the same time, the rear core part 8 is configured to reduce the airresistance of the projectile 5 and thus improve the external ballisticsof the projectile 5. The front core part 7 is configured as an oblongcone 5, which accounts for approximately half the total length L_(tot)of the projectile 5. The rear core part 8 comprises, on the one hand, acylindrical part and, on the other hand, a conical part having the coneangle α. The length L_(k) of the conical core part amounts to maximally0.24×L_(TOT) and the cone angle α shall lie within the range 5-9°. Testshave shown that the cone angle α of the projectile is optimally, givenlowest possible air resistance, 6°+/−0.1°.

The cylindrical portion of the rear core part 8 is weakly conical, witha cone angle α within the range 0°<α<1°, preferably 0.55°. The reason isthat the conical shape reduces the obtuse angle between the core and thejacket 10, thereby reducing the friction forces between the projectile 5and the barrel of the weapon.

A short cylindrical portion achieves, however, a strong reduction of theinner friction surface between the rear core part 8 and the jacket 10,which poses a problem, since the core 6 can then acquire a differentrotational velocity from the jacket 10, causing the projectile 5 tobecome unstable. In order to prevent different rotational velocities andthus the risk of instability, the core 6, in a special embodiment inFIG. 2 b, has been provided with longitudinal grooves or rifling. Thegrooves 14 produce an increased friction between the core 6 and thejacket 10 and thus act as a friction joint. The joint is rotationallylocked and ensures that the core 6 rotates at the same speed as thejacket 10. The groove length on the core 6 should be at least0.15×L_(C). When the jacket 10 is missing, for example when the jacket10 has come off following impact against a hard target, or when thejacket 10 is not yet fitted, no rotational locking is in force, however,between the tip of the projectile, i.e. the front core part 8, and therear core part 8. Between the tip and the core 6, radial guidance andfreedom of rotation is in force.

The grooves 14 also imply an advantage from the production viewpoint,since the grooves 14 act as a tool in the fitting of the core 6 andjacket 10.

The external ballistics/flying ability of the projectile 5 is determinedin large part by the center of gravity T of the projectile 5. For a 5.56caliber projectile 5, the distance (L_(TP)) between the tip of theprojectile 5 and the center of gravity TP of the projectile shallideally lie within the range:

0.55L _(tot) ≦L _(TP)≦0.60L _(tot).

Furthermore, the length L_(C) of the cylindrical part of the rear corepart 8 shall be as short as possible and lie within the range

0.25L _(tot) ≦L _(C)≦0.31L _(tot).

The front core part 7, i.e. the penetrator, is preferably produced froma hardened steel having a hardness of at least 500 Hv3. Other materialstoo, such as tungsten carbide, can advantageously be used. The rear corepart 8 is preferably produced from a steel having a maximum hardness of160 Hv3. The jacket 10 of the projectile is preferably produced from astandard copper-based material, also referred to as tombac. Preferably,the tombac jacket 10 comprises a mixture of 90% copper and 10% zinc. Inan alternative embodiment, the jacket comprises at least 90% steelplated with a thin layer of copper. The jacket 10 is produced,preferably, by a standardized method, for example by cold pressing andupsetting.

In order to minimize the discharge of metals to the environment, thethickness of the jacket 10 is greatest on the cylindrical part of thejacket 10, that is to say on that part of the jacket 10 which is incontact with the inner side of the barrel upon firing of the projectile5.

The thickness of the jacket 10 is expediently optimized by being madethicker on the cylindrical part of the jacket where the wear against thebarrel occurs, preferably twice as thick as the other parts of thejacket 10.

In a special embodiment, the jacket 10 is divided into a front jacketpart 11, an intermediate jacket part 12 and a rear jacket part 13,wherein the intermediate jacket part 12 is at least twice as thick asthe front and the rear jacket part 12, 13. The three jacket parts arehere constituted by three separate components, which can be joinedtogether on the core of the projectile 5, for example by shrinkage,welding or threading. The advantage with a modularly constructed jacket10, as with a modularly constructed core 6, is that the jacket 10 caneasily be configured with regard to different ballistic andenvironmental demands which can be placed on the projectile 5. Forexample, the intermediate jacket part 12 can be made of a tombacmaterial, whilst the front jacket part 11 and the rear jacket part 13are made of a non-metallic material, for example a composite material.Furthermore, the different jacket parts 11, 12, 13 can besurface-treated in different ways. For example, the intermediate jacketpart 12 can be surface-treated, in order to minimize the wear in thebarrel, by sulfating or tinning, for example, whilst the front jacketpart 11 and the rear jacket part 13 are surface-treated for the solepurpose of minimizing the air resistance of the projectile 5 during itstrajectory.

In a further special embodiment of the jacket 10, the jacket 10comprises inner longitudinal rifling or grooves (not shown) forpreventing rotation of the core 6 of the projectile 5 inside the jacket10, compare with the earlier described special embodiment of thecylindrical part of the core with grooves 14 or rifling producing thesame effect.

In a further special embodiment of the jacket 10, the jacket 10comprises outer longitudinal grooves or rifling (not shown) for reducingthe wear between the projectile 5 and the barrel of the weapon.

In another special embodiment of the jacket 10, the jacket 10 comprisesouter transverse grooves or rifling (not shown) for reducing the wearbetween the projectile 5 and the barrel of the weapon.

The configuration of the projectile with extended and optimized rearcore part and smaller contact surface, in combination with the higherstrength of the projectile, has been shown in tests to reduce theproportion of metal particles from the projectile by 10-20%, at the sametime as the ballistic properties of the projectile have been improved.For example, the decrease in velocity of the projectile during itstrajectory has been reduced, at the same time as the penetration inplate shooting is very good up to at least 725 m.

The described configuration means that the projectile, in testsaccording to NATO standard, can penetrate a steel plate of 3.5 mmthickness (SAE 1010/1020 having a hardness of 99-124 HB) at a distanceof at least 725 m, which is 27% better than is required according toNATO standard at a firing distance of 570 m.

The improved ammunition inclusive of projectile has been shown in teststo meet internal, external and terminal ballistic requirements and otherrequirements according to NATO's STANAG 4172 and NATO Multi Manual OfProof & Inspection PFP(NAAG-LG/1-SG/1)D(2004)1 for 5.56-caliber militaryammunition.

This means that the ammunition meets the demands placed by NATO onprecision, pressure level, temperature, ballistic trajectory consistencyand safety when used in functional weapons.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown, but can be variedin different ways within the scope of the patent claims. It will beappreciated, inter alia, that the number, size, material choice and formof the materials included in the ammunition and the component which areof importance to the invention, for example propellant powder, primingcomposition, can be adapted with regard to one another and with regardto other included elements and components in the ammunition.

1. A lead-free projectile, having the length L_(tot), for small-boreweapons, comprising a hard-metal core, wholly or partially enclosed by ametal jacket, wherein the projectile (5) is configured for a lowerfriction between the projectile and the weapon upon firing of theprojectile, so that the quantity of metal particles and environmentallyhazardous gases from the projectile is reduced, at the same time as theperformance of the projectile is maintained or improved, wherein thecore of the projectile comprises a front core part, constituting thepenetrator part of the projectile, and a rear core part, constitutingthe ballast part of the projectile, wherein: the front and the rear corepart are detachably joined together with each other by a radial guideconfigured for mutual freedom of rotation between the front and rearcore part, the rear core part comprises a cylindrical core part havingthe length L_(C) and a conical core part having the length L_(k),wherein the angle α for the conical core part lies within the range5°-9°, and wherein the contact surface between the jacket of thecylindrical core part and the inner side of the weapon 1 constitutesless than 30% of the total surface area of the projectile, the distance(L_(TP)) between the tip of the projectile and the center of gravity TPof the projectile lies within the range 0.55 L_(tot)≦L_(TP)≦0.60L_(tot),the length L_(C) of the cylindrical part of the rear core part lieswithin the range 0.25L_(tot)≦L_(C)≦0.31L_(tot).
 2. The lead-freeprojectile as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rear core part comprisesat least 90% unhardened steel.
 3. The lead-free projectile as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the jacket comprises at least 90% steel plated with athin layer of copper.
 4. The lead-free projectile as claimed in claim 1,wherein the jacket is divided into a front jacket part, an intermediatejacket part and a rear jacket part, wherein the thickness of theintermediate jacket part is at least twice as thick as the thickness ofthe front jacket part and the rear jacket part (13), and in that thethree jacket parts constitute three separate components joined togetherwith one another on the core of the projectile by shrinkage orthreading.
 5. The lead-free projectile as claimed in claim 1, whereinthe intermediate jacket part is surface-treated by sulfating in order tominimize the wear in the weapon.
 6. The lead-free projectile as claimedin claim 1, wherein at least 30% of the rear core part (8) is conical.7. The lead-free projectile as claimed in claim 1, wherein thejacket-comprises inner longitudinal rifles or grooves for preventingrotation of the front and rear core parts of the projectile inside thejacket.
 8. The lead-free projectile as claimed in claim 1, the jacketcomprises outer longitudinal rifles or grooves for reducing the frictionbetween the projectile and the weapon.
 9. The lead-free projectile asclaimed in claim 1, the jacket comprises outer transverse rifles orgrooves for reducing the friction between the projectile and the weapon.10. A Lead-free cartridge for small-bore weapons, in which theproportion of toxic substances in the combustion gases from the primingand propellant compositions of the cartridge 1 upon firing has beeneliminated or heavily reduced, at the same time as the performance ofthe cartridge 1 is maintained or improved, wherein the cartridgecomprises a lead-free propellant powder, a lead-free primer comprising azinc-free priming composition, a lead-free case and a lead-freeprojectile, wherein the projectile is configured as claimed in claim 1.11. A method for reducing the wear between a projectile, comprising ahard-metal core wholly or partially enclosed by a metal jacket, and aweapon, wherein the quantity of environmentally hazardous gases andmetal particles which are generated upon firing of the projectile fromthe weapon is reduced, at the same time as the performance of theprojectile is maintained or improved, wherein the core of the projectileis configured with a front core part, constituting the penetrator partof the projectile, and a rear core part, constituting the ballast partof the projectile, wherein the front and the rear core part are arrangeddetachably joined together with each other by a radial guide for mutualfreedom of rotation between the front and rear core part the rear corepart is configured with a cylindrical part and a conical part, so thatthe contact surface between the jacket of the cylindrical part and theinner side of the weapon upon firing of the projectile constitutes lessthan 30% of the total surface area of the projectile the distance(L_(TP)) between the tip of the projectile and the center of gravity TPof the projectile is chosen within the range0.55L_(tot)≦L_(TP)≦0.60L_(tot) in that the length L_(C) of thecylindrical part of the rear core part 8 is chosen within the range 0.25L_(tot)≦L_(C)≦0.31L_(tot).
 12. The method as claimed in claim 11,wherein the thickness of the jacket is made thicker on that part of theprojectile which is in contact with the inner side of the barrel of theweapon.
 13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the intermediatejacket part is surface-treated by sulfating in order to minimize thewear in the weapon.
 14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein atleast 30% of the rear core part is configured as a truncated cone. 15.The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the jacket (10) is configuredwith inner longitudinal rifles or grooves for preventing rotation of thefront and rear core parts of the projectile inside the jacket.
 16. Themethod as claimed in claim 11, wherein the jacket is configured withouter longitudinal rifles or grooves for reducing the wear between theprojectile and the barrel of the weapon.
 17. The method as claimed inclaim 11, wherein the jacket is configured with outer transverse riflesor grooves for reducing the wear between the projectile and the barrelof the weapon.
 18. A Lead-free cartridge for small-bore weapons, inwhich the proportion of toxic substances in the combustion gases fromthe priming and propellant compositions of the cartridge 1 upon firinghas been eliminated or heavily reduced, at the same time as theperformance of the cartridge 1 is maintained or improved, wherein thecartridge comprises a lead-free propellant powder, a lead-free primercomprising a zinc-free priming composition, a lead-free case and alead-free projectile, wherein the projectile is configured as claimed inclaim
 2. 19. A Lead-free cartridge for small-bore weapons, in which theproportion of toxic substances in the combustion gases from the primingand propellant compositions of the cartridge 1 upon firing has beeneliminated or heavily reduced, at the same time as the performance ofthe cartridge 1 is maintained or improved, wherein the cartridgecomprises a lead-free propellant powder, a lead-free primer comprising azinc-free priming composition, a lead-free case and a lead-freeprojectile, wherein the projectile is configured as claimed in claim 3.20. A Lead-free cartridge for small-bore weapons, in which theproportion of toxic substances in the combustion gases from the primingand propellant compositions of the cartridge 1 upon firing has beeneliminated or heavily reduced, at the same time as the performance ofthe cartridge 1 is maintained or improved, wherein the cartridgecomprises a lead-free propellant powder, a lead-free primer comprising azinc-free priming composition, a lead-free case and a lead-freeprojectile, wherein the projectile is configured as claimed in claim 4.